may be summarized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be summarized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something can be condensed or presented in a shorter form. Example: "The findings of the research may be summarized in the following key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Requirements may be summarized as follows.

Stanford University

The geologic development of Europe may be summarized as follows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those stories may be summarized with numbers, but they represent judgments about uncertain developments.

Harvard Business Review

The answer may be summarized as follows: You were discussing Life's cruel jokes.

The New York Times

The dynamics of rigid bodies rotating about fixed axes may be summarized in three equations.

Britannica

The positions of the various parties may be summarized as follows.

Cornell University

The message from Greece now may be summarized as, "I'm small.

The New York Times

The changes may be summarized under three headings: propulsion, armament, and armour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This is the court's decision after trial, and the decision may be summarized in a nutshell," District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan wrote in his decision.

The New York Times - Tech

The proposal, formally presented yesterday, may be summarized as a plan to let the bigger fish eat more of the smaller fish.

The New York Times

Their collective message may be summarized as follows: Reality may be down, but it is not quite out for the count.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be summarized", ensure that the summary accurately reflects the original content and does not introduce any new information or misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid over-simplifying complex topics when using "may be summarized". Ensure that the summary retains essential details and nuances to prevent misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be summarized" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the possibility or permissibility of providing a summary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Examples show its use in introducing concise versions of complex information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be summarized" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce a concise version of more extensive content. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a modal verb phrase indicating the possibility of providing a summary. It is particularly common in academic, scientific, and news contexts. While alternatives like "can be summarized" and "could be summarized" exist, the key is to ensure the summary remains accurate and avoids over-simplification. Remember to use the phrase when a potential summary is offered rather than when a summary is already a fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be summarized

Replaces "may" with "can", indicating ability rather than possibility.

could be summarized

Substitutes "may" with "could", suggesting a conditional or hypothetical scenario.

might be summarized

Replaces "may" with "might", conveying a weaker degree of certainty.

can be condensed

Uses "condensed" instead of "summarized", focusing on brevity.

may be outlined

Replaces "summarized" with "outlined", suggesting a focus on main points.

may be encapsulated

Substitutes "summarized" with "encapsulated", implying a concise representation.

may be briefed

Replaces "summarized" with "briefed", focusing on a short explanation.

may be recapitulated

Substitutes "summarized" with "recapitulated", emphasizing a concise review.

may be abridged

Replaces "summarized" with "abridged", highlighting a shortened version.

may be compressed

Substitutes "summarized" with "compressed", implying the removal of unnecessary details.

FAQs

How can I use "may be summarized" in a sentence?

You can use "may be summarized" to introduce a concise version of a longer text or process. For example, "The key findings of the study "may be summarized" as follows...".

What are some alternatives to using "may be summarized"?

Alternatives include "can be summarized", "could be summarized", "might be summarized", or "can be condensed", depending on the context and desired nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "may be summarized"?

"May be summarized" is appropriate when you want to indicate that a complex topic or lengthy document can be presented in a more concise form. It implies that a summary is possible or available.

Is there a difference between "may be summarized" and "is summarized"?

"May be summarized" suggests a possibility, while "is summarized" indicates a fact. Use ""may be summarized"" when you are about to offer a possible or potential summary. Use "is summarized" when the summary is already provided or established.